Eurasia Nazarenes assist during refugee crisis
For four years, the war in Syria has dragged on. For four years, people have hoped for peace, have lingered in their broken cities, have hung on in spite of reality, but the peace has not come. Instead, new crises have erupted — foremost, the threatening advance of ISIS.
As thousands of people fled in recent weeks, adding to the millions that previously fled, the refugee situation in the Middle East is quickly becoming unstable and is now spilling over into Europe. A mass transit towards Western European countries is causing many to call this the worst refugee situation since World War II.
Tens of thousands of individuals and families are risking their lives on this journey, arriving at each point of the way exhausted, hungry, traumatized, and afraid: through Turkey, across the sea, into Greece or Bulgaria, through Serbia and across the border into Hungary or Croatia. From there, they try to catch trains or buses into Austria and on to Germany.
At different stages of the journey, Nazarene individuals and churches — supported through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries — join efforts to provide care for refugees. In Syria itself, Nazarenes have been ministering to internally displaced families ever since the conflict began, distributing food, offering shelter and medical care, and enabling children to continue school for free.
When refugees move on to neighbouring countries, Nazarenes are ready to welcome them and provide them with the most necessary things to survive. In Lebanon, a small country that has received more than a million refugees, NCM and local churches are ministering in an organized effort to provide food, clothes, and trauma care. Church members are making many home visits to encourage and share the love of Christ. Currently, fewer refugees are entering the country and others are moving on, but the need is still great.
In Jordan, one church started a special weekly event for refugees where they offer programs for adults and children and give out food packages. Other Jordan churches are delivering food packages directly to families' homes. This has become an even more urgent need as only a few days ago, refugees received a text message from the United Nations saying that they would stop providing food aid.
Churches in other Middle Eastern countries have given clothes and blankets as well as toys and have raised tens of thousands of U.S. dollars to help their brothers and sisters in need. Refugees have also been provided with heaters, mattresses, shelter, baby supplies, and medical care.
In addition to these relief activities, more than 350 refugee children are receiving an education in four Nazarene schools, two after-school programs, and one supplementary education program, and many churches are offering kids clubs and homework help.
As the wave of refugees moves on into Europe, churches there are mobilizing as well. In Hungary, the Budapest Church of the Nazarene has been involved in helping refugees all summer, taking meals, clothes and toys, offering prayer, and even sitting down with small children at the train stations to colour books they brought.
"Even parents give grateful looks as they see their children playing in such an awkward life situation," said Maria Gusztinne, pastor of the Budapest church.
The Church of the Nazarene in Hungary works in collaboration with longtime partner the Wesleyan Theological Association and have coordinated their efforts with other churches and mission organizations.
"We want to meet real needs, be present and close to these people with full respect for what they go through, and join in for the time in their journey," Gusztinne added. "We look at this situation as a mission field, an opportunity for people to meet Christ."
When thousands of refugees were recently stranded at the Keleti train station in Budapest, Nazarenes took food, water, blankets, mats, tents, and jackets to families and individuals. They also helped the refugees make their way through a jungle of confusing instructions to find their way to Austria and on to Germany.
In Germany, local Nazarene churches in cooperation with Helping Hands e.V. are thinking about ways to assist the refugees in a long-term manner and help integrate them into society, for example through language classes. Frankfurt-based Church in Action has been working with refugees for years, taking them on day trips, visiting refugee homes, offering language classes, providing transport, and helping with visits to authorities.
Continued prayer is requested for the refugees and everyone involved in providing assistance and sharing Christ with these needy people. To support relief activities, visit NCM's giving page.
In Germany, donate through Helping Hands e.V., IBAN: DE56 5075 0094 0000 022394, SWIFT-BIC: HELADEF1GEL.[Church of the Nazarene Eurasia Region]Read more
Nairobi, Kenya
Africa East, Central fields called to 'Prepare the Way' at 2nd regional conference
Nearly 600 Nazarenes from 12 countries in east and central Africa gathered at Africa Nazarene University in Nairobi, Kenya, with others from around the world for prayer, worship, and the study of God's Word during the second Africa Regional Conference, held 16 to 21 August.
Before the official opening of the conference, Nazarene Theological Seminary President Carla Sunberg challenged listeners on Sunday morning to change the world for Christ.
"As we love Christ," Sunberg said, "we will love others and want to serve them as Christ did, leading to Christlike transformation of self and society."
Serving Christ through engaging fully in ministry was also a theme followed by General Superintendent Eugénio R. Duarte, keynote speaker, at the Africa East Field ordination service. Through a personal testimony of how he passed up a coveted engineering scholarship to pastor a local church in Cabo Verde and contrasting the actions of Judas and Peter when faced with confusion in ministry, he reminded his listeners that ministers of the gospel do well to keep an attitude of gratitude, maintain fellowship, and take advantage of opportunities to nourish the soul.
The regional conference opened with a Sunday evening service in which Regional Director Filimao Chambo shared from Isaiah 52:10, "...Prepare the way of the Lord..." His testimony of his grandmother's frequent prayer at the breakfast table reminded his audience they should be thankful for a godly heritage. He used Romans 10:13-15 to challenge the audience to not grow complacent: "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?"
Sending and going to make Christlike disciples in the nations was infused in teaching throughout the week, from Sunberg's session on the need for discipleship to workshops lead by Discipleship Ministries Coordinator Daphne Mathebula and others to inspiring personal testimonies of African missionaries like Friday Ganda, called to "Prepare the Way of the Lord" in new areas of Africa, to panel discussions focused on missions led by Africa East Field Coordinator Don Gardner, and in brainstorming sessions led by Global Mission Director Verne Ward.
"During early morning and late night prayer, during the worship music of the Africa East Field and Rwanda's New Generation worship teams, in the dance of the Maasai, and during the powerful, Spirit-filled holiness messages shared by West Field Coordinator Daniel Gomis, over and again the cry was raised for Africans to go out and reach other Africans for Jesus," said missionary Monica Carr. "As Gomis shared, our time is now. Like David, we are to come in the name of the Lord. Though the devil tries to make believers think they are still slaves, we have been liberated. We are no longer like a caged lion, but a lion roaming free, ready to go and share the Good News with others, ready to sing a redemption song so that others, too, might know of Christ's perfect and transforming love."[Church of the Nazarene Africa Region via Out of Africa]Read more
Nazarene schools listed among best colleges by US News & World Report
Once again U.S. News & World Report named several Nazarene institutions of higher education among "America's Best Colleges." The publication released their rankings for 2016 this week.
Rankings are broken down into specific categories. The first 75 percent of schools in each category are given individual rankings. The next group of schools is in a "rank not published" section listed in alphabetical order, followed by an "unranked" section.
National Universities
Schools in the National Universities category, such as Harvard University and Princeton University, offer a full range of undergraduate majors, master's, and doctoral degrees. These colleges also are committed to producing ground-breaking research.
One Nazarene school was placed in the National Universities category (click on the school's name for U.S. News profile) [Last year's rank]:
Trevecca Nazarene University (Rank not published [Rank not published]; Nashville, Tennessee; Dan Boone, president)
Regional Universities
Regional Universities offer a full range of undergrad programs and some master's programs but few doctoral programs. Regional Universities include Villanova University, The Citadel, Butler University, and Gonzaga University.
These rankings are split into four regions: North, South, Midwest, and West.
Six Nazarene universities were placed in this category (click school for U.S. News profile) [last year's ranking]:
MidAmerica Nazarene University (Rank not published [Rank not published]; Olathe, Kansas; David J. Spittal, president)
Mount Vernon Nazarene University (Midwest No. 61 [67]; Mount Vernon, Ohio; Henry Spaulding, president)
Northwest Nazarene University (West No. 61 [43]; Nampa, Idaho; Joel Pearsall, interim president)
Olivet Nazarene University (Midwest No. 54 [49]; Bourbonnais, Illinois; John C. Bowling, president)
Point Loma Nazarene University (West No. 17 [16]; San Diego, California; Bob Brower, president)
Southern Nazarene University (West No. 83 [84]; Bethany, Oklahoma; Loren P. Gresham, president)
National Liberal Arts Colleges
Among the National Liberal Arts Colleges are schools like Amherst College and Middlebury College, which emphasize undergraduate education and award at least half of their degrees in the liberal arts fields of study.
One Nazarene school was placed in this category (click school for U.S. News profile) [last year's ranking]:
Eastern Nazarene College (Rank not published [Rank not published]; Quincy, Massachusetts; Corlis McGee, president)
For more information, see usnews.com.
For the publication's methodology in creating their 2016 rankings, click hereRead more
Fountain City, Indiana
New Indiana church will focus on meeting special needs
Joshua Cook is a pastor who knows it isn’t unusual for people with special needs or families that include members with special needs to avoid going to church.
That avoidance might come from concern about the lack of expert care in the Sunday school rooms. It might come from worry about an emotional meltdown or other unusual behavior disrupting services. It might be a matter of access for wheelchairs or embarrassment about the sounds made by respiratory aids.
Whatever the reason, Cook and the congregation of Centerville Church of the Nazarene are hoping to meet it with the formation of Whosoever Ministries.
The new church will start having services in mid-November at the former Fountain City Methodist Church at 207 N. Green St.
The United Methodist Church closed in June 2014. Since then, two independent ministries have tried to become established there without success. The owners of the building, Isky and Darla Paul of Richmond, are members of Cook’s Centerville congregation.
“The Lord just told us that we needed to keep this church,” Darla Paul said during a day of painting and cleaning the building Tuesday. “The other (failed attempts) got us to where we are now.”
Whosoever Ministries will lease the building from the Pauls. Cook will preach the Sunday afternoon and Tuesday evening services. The biggest expense, Cook said, will be utilities.
“We feel like God’s wanting us to do this,” said Cook.
A description of Whosoever Ministries can be found on the Vision 2020 page at centervillenaz.org.
“God designed the church to function like a body wherein every member is important and needed,” the page reads. “That includes people with special needs or challenges.”
Cook said the long-range plan is for everyone who works in the church to receive training in how to assist people with special needs. He hopes that over the next five years, the congregation will attract “people who are passionate about special needs” and want to help. The vision is to create an accredited, licensed facility that offers weekday social and health-related programs as well as a place to worship.
“We’ve got big hopes here,” said Darla Paul. “Big dreams.”
But they’re prepared to start small.
Ramps are planned for the front door and the fellowship hall. Pews will be removed from the back of the sanctuary to make room for wheelchairs. And the doors of welcome will be open from Day One.
“It just seems like a lot of times ... if people don’t fit in the mold perfect, there’s just not a lot of places for them to feel comfortable and feel like they fit in,” said Paul. “That’s what we’re trying to do here.”
“There’s not much faith-based special needs ministry,” Cook said. “Everyone understands that’s what (the new church) is for.”
The website puts it like this: “Sometimes we in the church develop a program to ‘fix’ things. But when it comes to people with special needs or disabilities, it takes more than a program. And it is not about ‘fixing’ a problem. Rather, it is about building an environment where people with special needs or disabilities belong.”
Bob Malone of Centerville is a retired Nazarene minister who filled in for the Fountain City Methodist pastor back when the church was active. He’s excited to see the building being used again. And he’s excited about the idea of focusing on special needs.
“I think it’s a needed ministry myself,” he said. “There’s certainly a lot of need for special care. ... It’s an unlimited ministry that could be done.”
Cook and his congregation are not daunted by unlimited ministry. Their plan is to plant four more churches in addition to Whosoever Ministries in the next five years.
Centerville Nazarene has grown to capacity, nearly tripling in size from 45 to 130 members since Cook’s arrival three years ago.
In addition to Whosoever Ministries, over the next five years the church plans to add Center Cross, a ministry focused on millennials at its Centerville building; a Country Harvest Cowboy Church in a barn on the property; Thrive Church in Cambridge City; and Vicinity Church, a network of house churches in Wayne, Fayette, and Union counties. Descriptions for each can be found on the Vision 2020 page at centervillenaz.org.[Republished with permission from the Palladium-Item]Read more
Global Ministry Center
SDMI announces 2015 Engage the Word theme
Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International will launch the fifth year of Engage the Word, an annual 40-day emphasis designed to help people develop lifelong habits of daily Scripture engagement, September 27. This emphasis can be used individually or with families, small groups, and even congregations. Feedback from this Bible engagement emphasis has been overwhelmingly positive, with inquiries received each year well in advance of the release of promotional materials.
The 2015 theme, “Red Thread of Redemption,” begins at the beginning — Genesis 1:1 — and goes through Revelation. Each daily Scripture reading engages the reader with one of the Bible’s compelling, often-familiar stories.
All resources in English and Spanish are free to download and print at engagetheword.org. Resources include a church bulletin and posters for promoting the emphasis, reading lists for participants, five adult Sunday School/small group lessons, sermon outlines for pastors, daily devotionals, and a family poster for parents and children to share. In addition, participants who sign up individually can select how to receive the daily Scripture passage electronically — by text, email, audio file, or through an iOS/Android app.
For more information, visit engagetheword.org.[Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International]Read more
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Africa
Flags of the Nations: Cabo Verde
The 10 stars on the flag represent the main islands of the nation. The blue represents the ocean and the sky.
The band of white and red represents the road toward the construction of the nation and the colors stand for peace (white) and effort (red).
Since September 1, 2009, the Church of the Nazarene's Global Ministry Center (GMC) proudly flies a flag each week of one of the many nations in which the denomination is present in ministry. Leaders were invited to send a national flag to be flown at the GMC alongside the flag of the United States*. The national flags rotate weekly, and photos of them raised are sent to the church leaders of that country.
This week: Cabo Verde
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Cabo Verde in 1901.
Cabo Verde, the home nation of General Superintendent Eugénio R. Duarte, had a population of 538,535 in 2014. That same year, Cabo Verde reported 58 Churches of the Nazarene, 52 of which have been officially organized. Cabo Verde has 7,676 total members.
Cabo Verde is a Phase 3 district on the Africa Region. For more information about the Africa Region, visit africanazarene.org.
* = The weekly highlighted flag is raised on the middle of three poles in compliance with U.S. government protocols. It flies to the left of the GMC host-nation United States flag, which flies above the host-state flag of Kansas. The Christian flag flies on the third pole.
The Global Ministry Center is the mission and service hub of the Church of the Nazarene.Read more
South America
Chiclayo, Peru
Peru leaders attend conference on Nazarene doctrine
Nazarene Theological Seminary of Peru held a conference August 17 to 29 with 74 faculty and staff. The purpose was to reflect on and dialogue regarding two topics: the seven identifying characteristics of the Church of the Nazarene and the significant contributions made and influence exerted on the nation and culture by the Evangelical church during the last 100 years.
The denomination's seven priorities are significant worship, theological coherence, impassioned evangelism, intentional discipleship, church development, transformational leadership, and purposeful compassion. Originating from the document circulated by the Board of General Superintendents, the expositors presented various ideas on how to renew, bring enthusiasm, and challenge the Church of the Nazarene in promoting its identity essentials.
Organizers are grateful to conference speakers Francisco Cabanillas, Oscar Medina, Segundo Rimarachin, Jorge Julca, and Evelio Vazquez for their participation.
In addition, sociologist and historian Thomas Gutierrez presented two dissertations, titled “The Contributions of the Evangelical Church to the development of Peru in its 100-year History,” and “Present-day Challenges for Pastors,” respectively.
Seminary leaders expressed gratitude to God and all who contributed to the reflective atmosphere, which subsequently contributes to the formation and actualization of Evangelical ministries in Peru.[Church of the Nazarene South America Region]Read more
USA/Canada
Garland, Texas
Dallas District pastor passes away
J. Timothy White, pastor of the Dallas, Texas, Central Church of the Nazarene, passed away September 3 at age 64. While he had been seriously ill for several months, his passing was unexpected.
Pastor Tim's life work centered around his devotion to family, ministry, and education. He attended Bethany Nazarene College (now Southern Nazarene University) where he received bachelor's and master's degrees in religion. Following a second master's degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary, Pastor Tim obtained a Doctorate in Education Policy and Leadership from the University of Kansas. He was involved in alumni activities in all three schools and taught ministerial studies classes on the Dallas District.
First receiving a minister's license in 1973 on the Northeast Oklahoma District, Pastor Tim served at churches in Vinita and Woodward, Oklahoma, and Kansas City and Severy in Kansas. He was ordained on the Dallas District in 1990 and went on to serve as pastor at Abundant Life Church of the Nazarene in McPherson, Kansas, and Pryor, Oklahoma, Church of the Nazarene before he accepted the senior pastor role at Dallas Central in 2003.
Pastor Tim was well-known and admired on the Dallas District. He was involved in numerous district committees and projects, including serving on the Board of Ministerial Studies and as a board member for Peniel School of Ministry. He enjoyed teaching and mentoring ministers-in-training as well as researching and writing articles for Herald of Holiness (now Holiness Today), studies on the life of early Nazarene church leaders Hiram F. Reynolds and others, and authoring a book on Paul the Apostle.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy (Reinking) White, his two children, David White and Elizabeth White Thompson, and grandson Jackson White.
His was a life well lived, a life lived for others. His was a life lived for Jesus Christ. Pastor Tim will be deeply missed by his family, the Dallas Central church family, the district family, and a host of friends and colleagues whose lives he touched. See a complete obituary at the Williams Funeral Home website here. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Dallas Central Church of the Nazarene.
The family will receive visitors at Williams Funeral Home, 1600 S. Garland Avenue, Garland TX 75040, September 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 9 at 10 a.m. at the Dallas Central Church of the Nazarene, 7979 East R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas, TX 75228.[Dallas District via NCN News submissions]Read more
Cathedral City, California
Pastor Nicholas Mackenzie remembered
Nicholas Mackenzie, pastor of the Palm Springs, California, Church of the Nazarene, passed away September 7. He was 62.
Mackenzie was born in South Africa. He was a minister with The Salvation Army in South Africa until 1989 when he moved to the U.S. and began serving at Bridge Church of the Nazarene in Bloomington, California. He served there for 26 years in various positions, including school administrator, principal, and pastor. In July 2014, Mackenzie became pastor of the Palm Springs church.
Nicholas is survived by his wife, Mary, and their three children, Jeremiah, Delene, and Joy.
Two memorial services will be held. The first, scheduled for September 11 at 6 p.m., is at Bridge Church of the Nazarene, 9904 Bloomington Ave., Bloomington, CA. The second service is 10 a.m. September 13 at Palm Springs Church of the Nazarene, 33055 Cathedral Canyon Dr., Cathedral City, CA.
Prayer is requested for the Mackenzie and Palm Springs church families.Read more
Colorado Springs, Colorado
NBC hosts discussion between Hispanic community, congressman
U.S. Congressman Doug Lamborn from Colorado’s 5th District visited Nazarene Bible College August 27, participating in a special luncheon. NBC student Gabriel Valle, who is concluding his Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Ethics, hosted the event, which allowed Lamborn to connect with local Hispanic pastors and leaders from several congregations and faith-based service groups within the Colorado Springs community.
Discussions covered a wide range of concerns of the Hispanic faith community, including education in public schools, religious freedom, immigration laws, and public health issues. Lamborn gave his personal testimony as a Christian and outlined several legislative projects he has introduced or is working on that could help Hispanic communities. Pastors voiced their concerns over several current social issues, offering their perspective as Hispanic Christians from many denominations and backgrounds while also expressing their commitment to work together in their community.
NBC was privileged to support and facilitate this conversation between Lamborn and Colorado Springs’ Hispanic Christian leaders and remains committed to encouraging such dialogue in the future.[Nazarene Bible College]Read more
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Ambrose hosts re-entry camp for missionary kids
Imagine that you've never heard of a double–double, a Tim Hortons coffee with two sugars and two creams. Why don’t you know this? Well, it could be because you grew up somewhere far away from Canada — in Malawi, the Ukraine, or Japan.
Now imagine moving here as a young adult who is just about to enter university or apply for a job. Next, add to your move the wrinkle that you are Canadian by birth, so it looks to everyone around you like Canada has always been your home.
These are the challenges that many missionary kids (MKs) face when they move from the countries where their parents have been serving back to their birth country. They are hidden immigrants, and like immigrants, they experience culture shock and question about their identity as they try to fit into a community where they don’t yet feel they belong.
ReBoot is an annual retreat run by the Canadian MK Network and Ambrose University’s Jaffray Centre for Global Initiatives. By getting together with other MKs and talking openly about the challenges that come with beginning adult life in Canada, MKs discover a safe place to learn and to share their life stories.
“We want MKs to be refreshed through worship and peer relationships in order to re–enter and navigate the transition to Canadian life and culture with God's grace,” said Cyndy Ingram, director for ReBoot Calgary.
Ingram said ReBoot helps MKs address three challenges: Canadian culture, identity, and transition. Candian culture is introduced through an Amazing Race-style challenge in downtown Calgary that requires MKs to get used to transit, learn how to open a bank account, get a job application, price out a meal in a grocery store, visit a local church to discover more about faith and spirituality in Canada, hiking in Johnston Canyon, tasting BeaverTails, and more.
During the identity portion, MKs explore what it means to be themselves using questions such as What’s unique to people who grow up between two different cultures? How do MKs answer when someone asks where they’re from? How can they retain their MK–ness and still find acceptance and belonging in Canada?
This session is followed by information on transition. MKs receive affirmation that their feelings of grief and loss are a natural response to the transitions that occur with an international move. Teaching and space to process help to normalize these feelings and offer hope that everyone can move forward in healthy ways.
“ReBoot Calgary was held at Ambrose from August 7 to 14,” Ingram said. “We had a very full schedule, with daily teaching sessions, outings, small group sessions, free time, group activities, and late night dorm debriefs. We were all exhausted by the end, but it was hugely satisfying to see how God worked during the week.”
Many MKs were not sure what to expect when they came to ReBoot, but by the end of the week strong relationships had been forged, built on love, acceptance, and common life experiences.
MKs shared the following responses after the event:
“For me, one of the best things about ReBoot was being able to connect with MKs who had been through similar experiences to mine and understanding both the amazing and challenging parts of being an MK.”
“ReBoot is a weeklong event that gives you pointers on how to best adjust to Canada. What I liked about it was that we were able to share our stories with other MKs and see that we are not ‘out of normal’.”
“I loved meeting other MKs like me and being able to create relationships with each one.”
“It was a great time to bond with people just like us. At first, I was cynical, but the group got closer together and it was fantastic. The seminars also helped with the transition of moving to a different country.”
“The best part of ReBoot was the people. I loved getting to know other MKs who were so similar to me. I felt like I could be so free and not hide my weirdness :-)”
“I loved it, it was amazing. I wish it was longer. Thank you for this amazing experience!” [Ambrose University]Read more
In Memoriam
The following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received September 7-11, 2015.
Kendall Dutton Sr., 93, of Wiscasset, Maine, passed away September 3. He was a retired minister, serving in Maine. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred Dutton, in 1995.
Nicholas Mackenzie, 62, of Cathedral City, California, passed away September 7. He was a minister, serving at Palm Springs, California, Church of the Nazarene. He is survived by his wife, Mary MacKenzie. (story)
Anastasha Mumba, 14, of Zambia, passed away September 6 in a traffic accident. She was the daughter of Pastor Joshua and Salafina Mumba of the Kasompe Church of the Nazarene. (More information will be posted as it is made available.)
Sandra Pelechowicz, 70, of York, Maine, passed away September 5. She was the wife of retired minister Stephen Pelechowicz, who served in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
Daisylee (Hartley) Shaffer, 65, of Kissimmee, Florida, passed away September 9. She was the wife of minister David Shaffer, who pastors the Merritt Island Community Church of the Nazarene.
For previous editions of In Memoriam, see the "Passings" section by clicking here.
Note: Please join with us in prayer for the families who have lost loved ones. Click on names for full stories, funeral information, local online obituaries, and/or guest books (if available). To submit an entry of a minister or church leader, send to news@nazarene.org.[Compiled by NCN News]Read more
Global praise reports and prayer requests
Global Ministry Center
Recent praise reports and prayer requests from NCN News, Nazarene Missions International, and JESUS Film Harvest Partners include:
PRAISES
JESUS Film - Brazil
"I was very impressed with the men and women on the JESUS Film ministry team," said a man in Brazil. "They are people who have been in the church many years and the Holy Spirit works in their lives. The Holy Spirit also worked in the lives of several of our people who attended the showings of the JESUS film. I learned evangelism is very effective if we prayerfully prepare for it."
JESUS Film - Pakistan
"I was concerned about money," said a viewer in Pakistan. "I used to live a life of sin and wasn't even concerned about myself and my family — only for the money I could earn by doing bad things. One evening, the JESUS film team came to my village and I was being pulled very strongly to watch the film, so I did. I could see Jesus did not hate sinners, but loved them and even ate with them. Watching that scene, I felt I had been living in darkness, but Jesus was bringing me into the light. When I confessed my sins to Him, He forgave me and now I want to be baptized. Now I tell Jesus, 'Through your grace, Lord, I give you my hands to work for you, my feet to follow you, my tongue to speak your words, my mind to think of you, and above all, I give you my heart to live in.'"
PRAYER REQUESTS
Zambia bus crash
On September 6, a truck carrying 39 Nazarenes from the Zambia Luapula Northern District Assembly collided with another vehicle. District Superintendent Francis Mwansa reported that Anastasha, 14, daughter of Pastor Joshua and Salafina Mumba, died on the scene while eight people were admitted at Mansa General Hospital in critical condition. The other 30 are in stable condition and received attention at the hospital.
Anastasha's parents, Joshua and Salafina, are pastors of Kasompe Church of the Nazarene on the Zambia Luapula Northern District. (More information will be posted as it is made available.)
HEALTH-RELATED REQUESTS
Creative access area
A team member who serves in a creative access area has been struggling with an ongoing eye problem and was just recently diagnosed with a very serious complication that required emergency surgery. Her recovery from the surgery was a success, but the underlying problem still remains.
Liza Halbrook
Asia-Pacific Region staff member Liza Halbrook was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in March. Liza recently underwent her seventh round of chemo, but her white blood count was too low. In addition to being on antibiotics, she needed two white blood count boosters that she could not afford, but the doctor gave Liza the medicine and told her to pay when she was able to.
David Phillips
Southeast Asia Field Strategy Coordinator David Phillips provided the following update August 28 on his cancer treatment:
"Today I finished my chemotherapy injections. I wore a pump for two days. At first I felt a little strange but not too bad. Today has been a little hard, still feeling strange. I guess having lots of chemicals running through my body is going to have that effect. Our church has given us a house, furniture, and will be helping us for the next few months. Thank you to everyone who is praying for us; we are very grateful."
MORE...
For more global concerns and continued requests, see the NMI Prayer Mobilization Line by clicking here or JESUS Film Harvest Partners by clicking here. To share additional praises or prayer requests, please use the comment section below or see the Prayer Mobilization Line's Facebook page.
PRAISES
JESUS Film - Brazil
"I was very impressed with the men and women on the JESUS Film ministry team," said a man in Brazil. "They are people who have been in the church many years and the Holy Spirit works in their lives. The Holy Spirit also worked in the lives of several of our people who attended the showings of the JESUS film. I learned evangelism is very effective if we prayerfully prepare for it."
JESUS Film - Pakistan
"I was concerned about money," said a viewer in Pakistan. "I used to live a life of sin and wasn't even concerned about myself and my family — only for the money I could earn by doing bad things. One evening, the JESUS film team came to my village and I was being pulled very strongly to watch the film, so I did. I could see Jesus did not hate sinners, but loved them and even ate with them. Watching that scene, I felt I had been living in darkness, but Jesus was bringing me into the light. When I confessed my sins to Him, He forgave me and now I want to be baptized. Now I tell Jesus, 'Through your grace, Lord, I give you my hands to work for you, my feet to follow you, my tongue to speak your words, my mind to think of you, and above all, I give you my heart to live in.'"
PRAYER REQUESTS
Zambia bus crash
On September 6, a truck carrying 39 Nazarenes from the Zambia Luapula Northern District Assembly collided with another vehicle. District Superintendent Francis Mwansa reported that Anastasha, 14, daughter of Pastor Joshua and Salafina Mumba, died on the scene while eight people were admitted at Mansa General Hospital in critical condition. The other 30 are in stable condition and received attention at the hospital.
Anastasha's parents, Joshua and Salafina, are pastors of Kasompe Church of the Nazarene on the Zambia Luapula Northern District. (More information will be posted as it is made available.)
HEALTH-RELATED REQUESTS
Creative access area
A team member who serves in a creative access area has been struggling with an ongoing eye problem and was just recently diagnosed with a very serious complication that required emergency surgery. Her recovery from the surgery was a success, but the underlying problem still remains.
Liza Halbrook
Asia-Pacific Region staff member Liza Halbrook was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in March. Liza recently underwent her seventh round of chemo, but her white blood count was too low. In addition to being on antibiotics, she needed two white blood count boosters that she could not afford, but the doctor gave Liza the medicine and told her to pay when she was able to.
David Phillips
Southeast Asia Field Strategy Coordinator David Phillips provided the following update August 28 on his cancer treatment:
"Today I finished my chemotherapy injections. I wore a pump for two days. At first I felt a little strange but not too bad. Today has been a little hard, still feeling strange. I guess having lots of chemicals running through my body is going to have that effect. Our church has given us a house, furniture, and will be helping us for the next few months. Thank you to everyone who is praying for us; we are very grateful."
MORE...
For more global concerns and continued requests, see the NMI Prayer Mobilization Line by clicking here or JESUS Film Harvest Partners by clicking here. To share additional praises or prayer requests, please use the comment section below or see the Prayer Mobilization Line's Facebook page.
GMC employment opportunities
People are our most valued resource. Our committed employees are involved in "Making Christlike Disciples in the Nations" in 159 world areas.
The Global Ministry Center Human Resources Office professionals strive to deliver the highest possible service to our employees, and are responsible for the recruitment, placement and retention of qualified individuals to staff the ministry and administrative positions of the GMC. The many employee services include compensation and benefit administration, payroll, employment, employee relations, training, counseling, organizational communication and events, and workplace programs.
*Volunteer opportunities for GMC ministries are available now. Email bsikes@nazarene.org for details.
Employment Opportunities
Information Technology — Software Developer (Full-time)
Office: General Secretary's Office
Ministry: Information Technology
Title: Software Developer
Description: Responsibilities for this position include facilitating the ministry of the Global Ministry Center through the analysis, design, implementation, and support of software solutions. (Full-time position)
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries — Computer Programming Coordinator (Full-time)
Office: Global Mission
Ministry: Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
Title: Computer Programming Coordinator
Description: Responsibilities for this position include leading NCM's development team in developing and maintaining NCM's Web applications, systems, and websites. (Full-time position)
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries — Donor Strategist (Full-time)
Office: Global Mission
Ministry: Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
Title: Donor Strategist
Description: Under oversight of the director of development, this position is responsible for fundraising through building partnerships and donor/sponsor engagement and communication, including managing the research, design, content, and production of NCM materials for information, promotion, and education. (Full-time position)
Pensions and Benefits — Administrative Assistant (Full-time)
Office: Financial Services
Ministry: Pensions and Benefits
Title: Administrative Assistant
Description: Responsibilities for this position include leading/managing special and cyclical projects primarily within the Benefits Services Area (BSA), providing administrative assistance to the administrative director and other staff-level positions, coordinating the education/training priorities of internal staff as well as plan participants, ensuring that the appropriate resources and support are provided to complete assigned projects, and processing customer service inquiries as needed. (Full-time position)
To obtain additional information, please call 913-577-0500 and ask for Human Resources.
Location of our Positions
The GMC is the administrative hub for the Church of the Nazarene denominational ministries in 159 world areas. The GMC is conveniently located in Lenexa, Kansas, with easy access to I-35 and I-435 and within short driving distance to Kansas City International airport. All GMC positions report to this location.
Our Non-Discrimination Policy
The Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center offers equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, sex, or veteran status. The Global Ministry Center is an “at will” employer.
Our Faith-Based Organization
We are a faith-based organization. Acceptance of our Christian Code of Conduct is required and membership in the Church of the Nazarene is required for certain positions. The GMC and applicable remote work sites are smoke-, alcohol-, and drug-free Christian workplaces.
Application Processing
Our Human Resources Office receives and processes many employment applications annually for a limited number of positions. While we regret that we cannot respond to each applicant, we do contact those individuals possessing the skills, education/training, and experience that best match the requirements of the open position for which the application was submitted.
An application must be completed by all applicants and an application must be completed for each position for which one wishes to be considered. Applications are retained for one year. Resumés are not necessary for entry-level positions, but they are preferred for professional level positions.
Applying for Employment with the GMC
Application forms may be requested by calling 913-577-0500, emailing bsikes@nazarene.org, or obtained in person from Human Resources at the Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center, 17001 Prairie Star Parkway, Lenexa, Kansas, 66220, Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 4:30 U.S. Central Time. Completed applications may be mailed or emailed to the attention of the Human Resources Office.Read more
Lay leaders: August 2015
Sunday School and Discipleship Ministry International's The Discipleship Place congratulates the following individuals approved by their pastor and local church board to receive a certificate of lay ministry. Upon approval, they will complete lay ministry courses.
- Randy E. Bates, Covenant Church of the Nazarene, Kentucky District
- Eutona Barentine, New Hope Church of the Nazarene, South Arkansas District
- Linda L. Cook, Alvin Church of the Nazarene, South Texas District
- Thomas Wm. Cook, Alvin Church of the Nazarene, South Texas District
- Robert Czyzewski, Idaho Falls Church of the Nazarene, Intermountain District
- Zoraida Bolandi Gorgona, Pura Vida Los Guido Church of the Nazarene, Northwest Illinois District
- Robert Hofstetter, Geneva Church of the Nazarene, Northeastern District
- Robert Keister Jr., Grace Church of the Nazarene, Upstate New York District
- Robert Lesmesurier, Zion Evangelical Missionary Church
- Brenda B. Lee, Living Water Church of the Nazarene, Virginia District
- John Rice, Reynoldsburg Church of the Nazarene, South Central Ohio District
- Charles I. Sayers, East Paulding Church of the Nazarene, Georgia District
- Marian A. Taylor, Living Water Church of the Nazarene, Virginia District
- Rodney Weiss Sr., Columbus Grace Church of the Nazarene, Georgia District
- Samantha Whitchurch, Deepwater Crossroads Church of the Nazarene, Joplin District
- Dawn Williams, Rogersville First Church of the Nazarene, Alabama North District
- Arlene Bartlett, Bayshore Church of the Nazarene, Southern Florida District
- I & II Thessalonians
- Larry D. Brown, Bayshore Church of the Nazarene, Southern Florida District
- I & II Thessalonians
- Linda J. Brown, Bayshore Church of the Nazarene, Southern Florida District
- I & II Thessalonians
- Robert Ellenbecker, Frank Church of the Nazarene, West Virginia South District
- Youth Ministry Academy
- Richard George, Richmond Southside Church of the Nazarene, Virginia District
- Exploring John Wesley's Theology, Telling the New Testament Story of God, Telling the Old Testament Story of God
- William Guensch, Indian Head Church of the Nazarene, Mid-Atlantic District
- Telling the Old Testament Story of God
- Carol Kirk, Bayshore Church of the Nazarene, Southern Florida District
- I & II Thessalonians
- Stuart R. Parvin, Safe Harbor Church of the Nazarene, Washington Pacific District
- Children's Ministry, Communicating the Gospel in a Pluralistic World, Sunday School Superintendent, Youth Ministry Academy
- Danielle Perkins, Bayshore Church of the Nazarene, Southern Florida District
- I & II Thessalonians
- Laura Ruhl, Clyde Park Church of the Nazarene, Michigan District
- I Corinthians, II Corinthians, Acts, Galatians, Gospel of John, Gospel of Luke, Romans
- Catherine A. Scharf, Rio Linda LifePointe Church of the Nazarene, Sacramento District
- Communicating the Gospel in a Pluralistic World, Exploring John Wesley's Theology, Exploring Nazarene History and Polity, Practicing Wesleyan-Holiness Spiritual Formation, Telling the New Testament Story of God, Telling the Old Testament Story of God
- Brendan Slama, Freedom Church of the Nazarene, Joplin District
- Theological & Doctrinal Studies
- Walt Stengal, Bayshore Church of the Nazarene, Southern Florida District
- I & II Thessalonians
- Dee Weaver, Sebring First Church of the Nazarene, East Ohio District
- Communicating the Gospel in a Pluralistic World, Exploring Nazarene History and Polity
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